Release Day Review: Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Feel the Burn by G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin #8 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

War makes strange bedfellows.

I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.

Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with…

I absolutely LOVED the first book in the Dragon Kin series, which is the only book in the series I’d read prior to Feel the Burn. When I went into Dragon Actually, I had no idea that it would be one of the funniest books I’d ever read. Who knew dragons could be so funny!? So when I started Feel the Burn, I was expecting an awesome mix of quirky humor, sexy dragons, badass heroines, and some fun action. G.A. Aiken certainly delivers, and I had the best time reading this latest Dragon Kin book.

Gaius Domitus is the one-eyed Rebel King, and he’s out for vengeance against the cousin who tortured his twin sister. He needs to team up with Anwyl the Bloody, but somehow manages to find himself teamed up with the Daughters of the Steppes. They’re fierce barbarian women who, amusingly, look down upon men, so when Gaius finds himself saved and intrigued by one, she doesn’t give him the time of day.

“Kachka Shestakova . . . I owe you much.”
“Yes,” she replied. “You do.”
“How can I ever repay you?”
She faced him, her blade and arms covered in blood. “Give me your kingdom!”
Gaius smiled. “You’re adorable.”
“See? The royals. They say all this and they say all that . . . but they do nothing but lie.”
“We don’t lie all the time.”

I wish there had been more romance in this book! I absolutely loved Kachka and Gaius together, but they weren’t together enough. The book focused a lot more on the action and adventure part than the budding romance between the main characters, and even though it was entertaining to read, I wanted more of Kachka and Gaius together. Kachka’s a no-nonsense woman who’s blunt and has no filter, and Gaius humors and adores her.

“Why have you never chosen a husband, Kachka Shestakova?”
She smirked at him. “In love with me already, Rebel King?”
“We both know you’d be lucky if I were. I am a king and,” he teased, “pretty damn benevolent.”

The secondary characters were my favorite part of this book, besides Gaius and Kachka. The other Daughters of the Steppes and so. freaking. hilarious! Zoya totally stole the spotlight a couple of times – she’s a character you NEED to read, because she cracked me up so many times. I also loved seeing the Southland characters that I’d read in Dragon Actually, especially Anwyl. All of the characters in this series are just so fantastic to read about.

I don’t read a lot of PNR these days, though I wish I did more, but the Dragon Kin series is a unique one full of hilarity and adventure. I’ve never read anything like this series, and I’m certainly going to need to catch up on the rest of the books. If you love humor in your PNRs, you definitely need to pick up Feel the Burn.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Dragon Kin series

#1 ~ Dragon Actually: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ About a Dragon: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ What a Dragon Should Know: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Last Dragon Standing: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ The Dragon Who Loved Me: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ How to Drive a Dragon Crazy: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Light My Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Feel the Burn: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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24Nov2015

Release Day Review: The Truth About Him by M. O’Keefe

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Truth About Him by M. O’Keefe
Series: Everything I Left Unsaid #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For fans of Christina Lauren and Jodi Ellen Malpas comes the next novel in M. O’Keefe’s breathtakingly sexy series about a woman called into a journey of the heart, body, and soul.

We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.

I’d been looking forward to reading The Truth About Him ever since reading that cliffhanger in Everything I Left Unsaid, and M. O’Keefe did not disappoint with Annie and Dylan’s second and final novel. It picks up right where the first book left off and continues with even more heart-pounding suspense and raw sensuality. I enjoyed this sequel every bit as much as the first – if you were a fan of Everything I Left Unsaid, you definitely need to pick up The Truth About Him.

I was not the right man for her, but I wanted to be.
And I was humbled by her choice.

While Everything I Left Unsaid is more Annie’s book, The Truth About Him is definitely more Dylan’s book. I thought it was interesting that the author wrote the first book in Annie’s 1st person POV and Dylan’s 3rd person POV, then this sequel in Dylan’s 1st person POV and Annie’s 3rd person POV. M. O’Keefe’s writing is exquisite, and definitely my favorite part about this series. It’s gorgeous, lush, and sensual, which meshes perfectly well with Annie and Dylan’s story. If there’s one thing you need to experience, it’s the writing in this series.

If you’ve read Everything I Left Unsaid, then you know Annie is in trouble. Thankfully, this trouble is wrapped up quickly, though there is so much more for Annie and Dylan to deal with. Not only is their relationship a little rocky, but there is Ben’s sickness to deal with, the dangerous MC gang who’s targeting Annie, and Dylan’s brother Max is in trouble. I honestly had no idea where the author would be taking the story, but I just went along for the ride and wasn’t disappointed. I was hooked onto the story – the suspense never slows down, and neither does the romance.

She owned me. Despondent and wrecked, smiling and bright—it didn’t matter. I was hers.

Dylan has moved into trailer park to protect Annie, and he’s struggling with his feelings for her. He knows he’ll do anything for her, go to the ends of the world for her, but he’s still not sure if he’s capable of love. Dylan is endlessly fascinating and I loved that we delved so much deeper into his character in this book. We get to know more about his past, his family, and his coworker Blake. As for Annie, I adored her character. She’s a lot more confident by now, since she knows how much she means to Dylan, but she’s still trying to prove to him that he’s capable and worthy of love. And the two of them are hotter than ever in this book – anytime Dylan and Annie are together, the chemistry between them is on fire. I loved how raw and sensual their need for the other was.

“You. You are what is different. You have changed everything.” It was the unvarnished truth. As close to love as I was capable of getting.

The word that best describes this series is fascinating. M. O’Keefe has written a series that you just can’t put down, because you NEED to know what happens next. The suspense is well-done, not too heavy, and the romance is sexy, yet sweet and tender. I absolutely enjoyed this conclusion to Dylan and Annie’s story, and highly recommend giving their books a try if you love romance and suspense. I’m really hoping there might be more books about the secondary characters, because I love the author’s writing and I’m so intrigued by the characters!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Everything I Left Unsaid series

#1 ~ Everything I Left Unsaid: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Truth About Him: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Burn Down the Night: Ebook • Goodreads (Aug. 2, 2016)

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23Nov2015

Blog Tour + Early Review & Giveaway: Steal Me by Lauren Layne

Posted in 4 hearts, Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews by Lacey

Click the banner to follow the tour.

Welcome to today’s stop on the blog tour for Steal Me by Lauren Layne!
Check out my review for this fantastic book below, as well as a giveaway!

Steal Me by Lauren Layne
Series: New York’s Finest #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 24th 2015
Publisher: Forever

IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti’s blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that’s just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony’s morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn’t exactly Maggie Walker’s dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she’d really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo • Google Play

Is there any book Lauren Layne writes that I can’t love!? I honestly don’t think it’s possible. Every time I pick up a Lauren Layne book, I know I’m going to be entertained and satisfied. Her books are always so sweet and hilarious – and her New York’s Finest series is her funniest yet. I had high expectations after adoring the first book, Frisk Me, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Steal Me. And of course I ended up loving Steal Me just as much as, if not more than, Frisk Me. Steal Me had me laughing and swooning – if you love men in uniform (who doesn’t), this series is a must read.

He could be a cop…
…or a boyfriend.
Or was the operative word.
He couldn’t be both.

Captain Anthony Moretti’s job as a cop is his life. His family and the NYPD are his top priorities. He has no time for women, least of all Maggie Walker, a waitress who can’t do her job and annoys Anthony to no end. Anthony is usually an in-control kind of man – he’s quiet, authoritative, and a little moody… but around Maggie, he can’t stop himself from being a total jerk. He’s flustered and completely out of control around her, and he doesn’t like the way she makes him feel. The gorgeous waitress throws him off like no other.

Maggie Walker is an aspiring writer, and she’s made a fresh start in NY. She’s never truly known love in her abusive past, so she’s charmed by the Moretti family, who comes by every week to the diner she works at. Well, she’s charmed by all but Anthony, whose good looks fire her up and make her clumsy around him. But when she identifies a criminal as her ex-husband on a case Anthony is working on, the two of them are thrown together and the sparks between them fire up until eventually their chemistry can’t be ignored.

I had so much fun reading Maggie and Anthony’s story. It’s a little slow in the beginning, with Anthony reluctant to start anything with Maggie, but he can’t resist her. The two of them are so sweet together – she cracks his stubborn, uptight shell, and he supports her and her career like no one has before. Maggie shows Anthony that he’s capable of love and that he can have love in his life, but he just has to be willing to fight for it.

“You’re…”
She looked at him through hazy eyes. “Hmm.”
“Everything,” he said quietly.

Another thing I loved about Steal Me is the Moretti family. Everyone in this family is so freaking hilarious! The grandmother is probably my favorite of them all. She’s so inappropriate and blunt, I loved her. And it was great to see Ava and Luc again! The secondary characters add so much light-heartedness and giggles to the story.

Lauren Layne writes such wonderful contemporary romances. They are truly a joy to read – whenever I finish a book of hers, I’m left with a smile on my face. Each of the books in the New York’s Finest series is well-developed and you love the characters right from the start, no matter how much of a jerk they are (*cough* Anthony). If you liked the first book, you definitely need to read the second! I, for one, can’t WAIT to get my hands on Vincent and Jill’s story.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: New York’s Finest series

#1 ~ Frisk Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Steal Me: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Cuff Me: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads

Print Set of FRISK ME & STEAL ME
$5.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a Writers Gift Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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19Nov2015

Release Day Review + Giveaway: Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews, Spotlight by Lacey

Happy Release Day to L.H. Cosway – Hearts of Blue is live!

As a special treat, L.H. Cosway will be writing a bonus scene! There will be a poll on her FB page to vote for a male POV scene!

Which scene from Hearts of Blue would you most like to read from Lee’s perspective?

The football riot scene.
The warehouse rave scene.
Karla & Lee’s ‘first time’ at the night club.

Vote in the tour poll for the male POV scene HERE.

Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway
Series: Hearts #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 19th 2015

She upholds the law. He breaks it.

Two blue hearts, both alike in bravery
In not-so-fair London, where we lay our scene
From gun crime to petty theft
Where family is blood and survival makes hands unclean
In this place, we find two hearts who should be foes
And yet, amidst the turmoil their love still grows
Misadventure abounds and the divide will bring them strife
But with luck, death doesn’t always mean an end to life.

Hearts of Blue is a standalone contemporary romance that tells the story of star-crossed lovers Karla Sheehan and Lee Cross, a police constable and the thief who steals her heart.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Amazon UK • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo • Smashwords

I’ve adored every one of the Hearts books by L.H. Cosway, but I think Hearts of Blue might be my favorite one so far. I LOVED Karla and Lee together – they are the sweetest couple EVER! I’d been looking forward to their story ever since I read about them in King of Hearts, because a romance between a police constable and a thief? YES. PLEASE. I freaking love the opposites-attract trope, and L.H. Cosway has written one that is an absolute joy to read. If you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely must read Hearts of Blue – it’s an exciting, sexy, and heartwarmingly sweet romance that I loved.

“Give me a chance, and I’ll prove to you that everything you think you see is blurred by perception.”

Karla Sheehan sees things in black and white, which makes the job of a police constable perfect for her. She gets to uphold the law, protect the innocent, and send the not-so-innocent to jail. But what happens when her black-and-white heart starts to fall for someone who lies on the gray side of the law?

“You make me feel so fucking alive,” Lee said fervently, his words muffled by my skin. “Made for me.”

Lee might be only a few years younger than Karla, but he’s lived through so much. He’s had to take care of his family since he was just a boy, and he’s never stopped. When he loves, he does it with everything he’s got, and he’ll do anything to protect what he loves. And from the moment Lee meets Karla, he sets his eyes on her, determined to make her see that what they have, the connection that they’ve formed from the start, is something worth exploring.

I loved Lee and Karla. SO much. They are witty, sassy, so much fun read about – they’re the kind of characters that you wish were real. And I couldn’t believe how ridiculously sweet this book was – I love that Lee falls so hard for Karla, trying to protect her from the bad parts of his life all the while making her love him back. The thing that surprised me the most about Hearts of Blue was definitely Lee’s character. I was expecting him to be some obvious bad boy, but he’s actually so much more than that. He’s not just a bad boy to Karla’s good girl – he’s got depth, and his heart is loyal like no other. He is now my favorite hero of L.H. Cosway’s so far.

The world isn’t blue, isn’t lonely any more, and though I was supposed to be the thief, she was the one who stole my heart.

Hearts of Blue is a satisfying, fun, and unique romance I couldn’t put down. Every time I pick up an L.H. Cosway novel, I know I’m going to be entertained. Her stories are unlike any other and are simply unforgettable. If you haven’t tried her books yet, you are missing out!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Hearts series

#1 ~ Six of Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hearts of Fire: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ King of Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Hearts of Blue: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Thief of Hearts: Goodreads (2016)
#6 ~ Hearts on Air: Goodreads (2016)

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Amazon Page

1^st prize:
Signed paperback copies of the entire ‘Hearts’ series.
L.H. Cosway swag.
$25 Amazon gift card.

2^nd prize:
Signed copy of Hearts of Blue.
L.H. Cosway swag.
$10 Amazon gift card.

ENTER HERE

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17Nov2015

Release Day Review: After Tonight by Annie Kelly

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

After Tonight by Annie Kelly
Series: Flirting with Trouble #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 17th 2015
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

She may be the teacher…

All Hyacinth “Cyn” Hendricks ever wanted to do was make a difference in the world. But when she joins the faculty of a Baltimore reform school, she discovers that she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Because the last thing she expects when she meets her newest student is to see the guy she met—and made out with—at a bar last week.

But he’s the one giving her a lesson…

To Cyn, Smith Asher is an enigma. The 20-year old doesn’t look like a high schooler and he certainly didn’t act like one the other night. Despite the smoldering chemistry between them, she knows she has to squash this dangerous infatuation before it gets them both in serious trouble. But her desire for Smith—and his lust for her—quickly grows too hot to ignore. And Cyn soon learns that there is one thing worse than teaching someone you’ve seen nearly naked…

Teaching someone you want to see nearly naked again.

I looove forbidden romances, so when I read the blurb for After Tonight, I couldn’t wait to start it. A forbidden love story between a teacher and her 20-year-old student… who she actually met the other night and almost hooked up with? Um, yes please!!! I had high expectations for this book, but… it fell a little short of them. Don’t get me wrong, this was still fun and sexy as hell, but I wanted something more. I didn’t really connect with the characters, so I wasn’t as into this book as I wish I had been. It was a little dull at some parts, intense at others, but overall, After Tonight was a very okay book.

Apparently, I’m going to teach Hamlet tomorrow to a room full of teenagers who couldn’t care less.
Oh, and one man who’s seen me almost naked.
Fucking hell.
I wonder if it’s too late to call in sick.

On her first day of student teaching, the last person Hyacinth expects to see is Smith Asher, the man she had an intense connection with the other night at a fantasy club. They may not have technically done anything that night, but she still let loose and let him see her naked… so she’s mortified to realize that he’s actually going to be her student. Now, Cyn is determined to ignore their chemistry and pretend like nothing ever happened between them, but Smith won’t let her forget. Even though he’s twenty, he’s intense, sexy, and very much hard to ignore. He riles Cyn up easily, and the forbidden-ness of their relationship only makes the chemistry between them burn hotter than ever.

“Every day I want you more, and every day I can have you less,” he murmurs.

I didn’t really like Smith, to be honest. He was pushy at times, and very hot-and-cold. His behavior was basically all over the place, so I couldn’t see why Cyn liked him, other than their attraction for each other. I didn’t get or connect with their relationship at all – it was basically only ever sexual between them. I expected a little more from this. I love forbidden romances, especially teacher/student ones, but After Tonight was only… okay. A little boring sometimes, but still plenty sexy. I will say, though, that I didn’t see the plot twist coming at all! That was probably the best part of the book – the author certainly surprised me with a twist I didn’t see coming, but was completely believable.

If you’re a fan of forbidden romances, this might not be the best book, but if you’re looking for something quick and sexy, I’d say why not. The writing was good, but the story and characters weren’t as good as I’d hoped. Still, I’m intrigued enough by the sequel that I will most likely continue the series and give it a try.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Flirting with Trouble series

#1 ~ After Tonight: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Until Tomorrow: Ebook • Goodreads (March 15, 2016)

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